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Dilmah gets interim extension
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Despite ending a three year contract as the team sponsor in March, Dilmah Tea will remain as the Sri Lanka Cricket teams sponsor for the two tests against New Zealand in April after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) authorities agreed to grant an extension to it's current sponsor.

The current team sponsor's deal, won by Dilmah Tea in 2002, expires at the end of March. However the falgship tea brand will be on the attire of the Lankan cricketers for the two New Zealand test matches as well. A spokesman for SLC said "It's nothing but right for SLC to give Dilmah an extension as the New Zealand tour was during their tenure as sponsors,but had to be aborted due to the tsunami"

Sri Lanka Cricket opened the bidding for its team-sponsorship rights for a three-year period late last month.SLC called for the expression of interest through newspaper advertisements giving a closing date of 15 th of February.The Sunday Times learns from informed sources that the current sponsor Dilmah ,two Electronic giants and a relatively new brand to the game are among the few brands that have already expressed their interest in being the team sponsors.However, with the bidding documents being prepared and an interim extension given to the current sponsor,it will take a few more weeks before the island knows its' new sponsor.

The successful sponsor will be guaranteed branding on all clothing, advertising properties in home grounds, use of Sri Lanka Cricket and player images, various off-field promotional opportunities, and space within home stadiums for corporate entertainment.

SLC which signed a record $50million television deal late last year year with Taj Television, the Dubai-based owners of TEN Sports is believed to be looking at a figure in the region of US $ 5 million because a series of high-profile tours is coming up - including four different series with India, two tours each with England and Australia, plus the 2006 Champions Trophy and the World Cup in 2007.Current sponsor Dilmah paid just over US$3million for the three-year period.

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